Main navigation

Matthew Chalifoux, FAIA

Historic Preservation & Design

Matthew has more than 35 years of professional experience, including 20 years of specialization in the field of historic preservation. His portfolio focuses on the challenges in managing change in public architecture.

All of Matthew ’s projects involve the sensitive insertion of modern systems, providing modern technology and environmental control while maintaining the historic integrity of the building and site. He has deep experience partnering with design architects to set the philosophy and concept approach to historic campuses through sensitive additions and new, stand-alone facilities. A number of his projects have received preservation awards.

Matthew has taught at the University of Maryland Historic Preservation Program and shares his expertise through presentations for the Association for Preservation Technology and the Traditional Building Conference. His projects include the US Supreme Court Building, the Birch Bayh Federal Office Building, and the United Nations Headquarters.

Publications

Considerable functional shortcomings made this design icon the target of much venom for over fifty years. Our modernization brought the technical requirements of laboratories into alignment with Kahn’s plan and spatial design, while vastly improving building functionality and energy performance. In this article, the designer discusses strategies and tactics for invisibly modernizing an iconic but challenging structure.